Disclaimers: *sighs* This is getting old. See, if Hunter x Hunter had been mine, Hisoka would be openly throwing himself over Illumi even just for the sake of making the whole of the Zoldick clan sick, Illumi would be wearing black leather pants with a taste for silver, and Kurapika would secretly have a fetish for chains. Meh.

Author's Notes: *digs a hole on the floor to bury her forehead on for a deep deep bow* My only excuse is that inspiration left me! . *holds an Illumi plushy to her chest* Or maybe it was the sudden epiphany that this fanfic is starting to suck. Royally. Ooh nooo, not again!!! *throws a fit* I've had enough of this waning quality in fanfics. Either that or I need a psychiatrist to straighten out my self-confidence. Where does that thin line between megalomania and insecurity start and end anyway?

OF GAMES AND ASSASSINS
by: Cherrie ( tartarus000@yahoo.com )

Chapter 11 - Twists

Thump, thump thump...

"Hisoka."

. . .

Thump.

Thump. Thump.

Thump, thump, thump... thumpthumpthumpthumpthu--

"Will you stop that!?" A protruding vein was passionately throbbing from somewhere above his ears. Illumi had to stop himself from mid-action before he could hit his companion on the head with a metal bin, or maybe something closer to that. Closing his eyes, he plucked one of his hands from wherever it was - his feelings were so faint he didn't even know where his feet were and where his ears were supposed to be in - and tilted his head upon its fingers to ease away the irritating humming inside his head.

They were sitting on the seats in the waiting room, somewhere in the back because Hisoka insisted he wanted to sit against the wall. They were ten minutes past their official time. Something about the flight being delayed because of something regarding the seats and their backrests. He really didn't understand much from what the woman was talking about just a few minutes ago, he was too busy minding his own business of wondering whether or not they'll be given a blanket during their flight because he'd be damned if he'll have to sit in an air-conditioned space when he's already uneasy in room temperature.

Wow, and he thought he was immune to coldness.

His companion, apparently lost in his own thoughts - although the fierce lip-biting kind of unnerved him (I don't think I ever saw him do that before...) - could only blink at him. "What?" the man asked, a look of innocent confusion in his eyes. 'Innocent' and 'confusion' were words never associated with this guy, was the assassin's first thought upon seeing the other.

But Illumi didn't dwell much in his own thoughts. Dwelling kind of made his extra-sensitive head hurt. "That," he said instead, giving the other's right foot, the one previously tapping against the floor, a sharp look. "Stop it. What do you want to do, team up with my headache to make an orchestra?"

"Two sounds can make an orchestra?"

A glare. Damn, glaring was worse than dwelling when it came to the pains they gave off. But somehow it's just difficult not to glare at Hisoka. Somewhere deep within him, he knew that the magician was smarter than he let on, but really. It was times like those that made him doubt that fact.

Thankfully (or maybe not), he was awakened from his thoughts by Hisoka's voice. It was pitched an octave higher. Or was it two octaves? He wasn't sure. He didn't think he'd want to know actually. "Of all the days to have a technical problem, why this!?" whined the magician in, yes, that higher than usual pitch. A small part of him wondered if it was still decent for a man reaching his 30's to whine. Again, there's that headache with it's big drums.

"Oi, Illu?" There was a light tap on his shoulder. "You okay?"

I'm fine, he wanted to say. He could feel the exasperation ebbing from his thoughts. He knew it would trickle through his voice if he spoke, so he decided to keep his silence and continued to keep himself busy with his thoughts. Had he known better, he would've thought that Hisoka was deliberately trying to drive him mad. He wondered if Hisoka would maim him with his cards if he would poke him right on the eye right then and there. Had he done that five years ago, maybe he'd already be dead. Or something close to that. He wasn't sure if he could say the same this time. Hisoka was acting really strange, ever since that night in the park, the one time he got so close and almost did not recognize the man in front of him.

Damn, that didn't sound like he planned it to.

But before his thoughts could go on, he could already picture his headache solidify like a devil child in diapers holding up a pitchfork against his throat. And there it was again...he had a feeling he was starting to go insane.

"Hey, you wanna sleep for a while?"

It was hard trying to stay comfortable when his thoughts kept fighting with his diaper-clad headache. Illumi had to spare a pause and an eye roll for that last thought, convinced that he was somehow in the verge of madness. Must be the company, decided Illumi.

But despite his earlier thoughts about the magician - they were almost fading out anyway, 'short attention span' somehow rang a bell here - he found his eyes drifting closed. Those words somehow found their way in his mind, and he was starting to calm down that he didn't even mind realizing that he was falling asleep on Hisoka's shoulder. He can blame it on momentary insanity later on. Damn, he really must be desperate. Or really really sick.

Ah, hell with it.

Oblivious to his surroundings, Illumi didn't see the growing grin on his companion's face as the assassin started to drift off to sleep. Okay, so maybe this isn't so bad, decided Hisoka as he shifted around for a more comfortable position while pulling out his cellphone from his pocket in the process. But the fun shouldn't end so soon, ne?

* * * * *

There was something about crying women that made his life utterly miserable. Either that or loud, immense crying just ran in their family, extending even to godparents' children, as was currently being proven right in front of his very eyes.

"Why!? I don't understand, we were getting along so well! It's that weird guy's fault, I just know it!"

There was a small blowing sound right after that, followed by a pathetic sniffle. It's strange, watching his...supposed future sister-in-law - although he doubted if Illumi would appreciate him referring to the young lady as so - crying in his mother's white handkerchief. There was also something about that white handkerchief that he also found sickeningly familiar. The life of that simple cloth was just sad.

"You know what, auntie? From your story, I bet that it's that guy who keeps on putting such dirty thoughts inside Illumi-san's head. I just know that he's also the one who convinced him to run away. I know Illumi-san is not like that, he usually wouldn't do anything to harm us, right?"

A prompt snort broke the girl's speech. Eyes wandered towards where Killua stood. Sillva gave his son a warning look.

"Killua-chan, don't be like that." Kikyou shifted her gaze back to Hannah. "Don't worry, dear. We'll find Illumi just as we will get rid of that bastard he's with. If you'd like it, you could have the honors of punishing him for what he has done to you. The training room would suffice, perhaps?"

Killua watched and listened - not on his own free will, mind - more series of exchanges between his mother and his brother's whatever-you-might-call-her. He doubted if their little plans for Hisoka would actually be that easy to accomplish, seeing that with the way Hannah was acting, everything that had been said about the magician were but presumptions of a love-sick young lady desperate to lay claim on her sweetheart. Pause to wince here. It would've been quite amusing on his part had it not been for his skin crawling with the fact that he referred to Illumi as a "sweetheart".

Fortunately for him, his thoughts were cut short by a light tugging on his sleeves. Dark eyes met with brown as Gon turned his gaze from the pitiful scene in front of him to Killua. "What now?" he asked with the clueless ignorance he usually wore.

Killua made a nonchalant shrug and whispered back, "I don't know. Wait until Hisoka declares that he'll take Illumi in as his own personal bitch, I suppose." Or vice versa. Hisoka may look like the more aggressive one, but who knows? The guy's a mystery, maybe he's on the masochistic side.

But what he made out as a joke earned him yet another sharp glare from his father. Killua withered at the look and threw Sillva a guilty but apologetic grin. It was probably a good thing that Killua was known to be the joker in the family, if one was even allowed to be one, but Killua had always been favored above his siblings anyway so a few cracks could pass his more considerate elders by. Still, he avoided his father's eyes and looked back at Gon.

As for Gon, blessed innocent that he was, he was blinking widely at him. Granted, the boy wasn't as innocent as a five year old might be, but Killua highly doubted if his friend knew what being a bitch meant. For all he knew, Gon might still be thinking that a bitch is a female dog. The most likely thought, which also explained the dark-haired boy's confused "Huh?" as he stared back at his friend.

Killua shook his head and just turned to his mother. "Hey ma, " he called, stepping closer to the light. "Are we still going to go after Illumi or---?"

"Of course we are!!!" All eyes turned towards the source of that outcry. Alluka was all but stamping his foot on the ground at the look he was giving Killua. "I can't believe that you'd even ask such a question! Have you forgotten what that man has done to aniki!? We can't trust him! You've seen him do it, I've seen him do it, Milluki have seen him do it!!! It's not everyday you see a man ki--"

Further outbursts were ceased as Milluki's chubby hands grabbed a hold of Alluka to cover his mouth. "Well, actually, it isn't something you do to someone. It's something you do with someone. Well, usually anyway," he contributed unnecessarily, which only earned him a dangerously hyperactive boy out to bite his hands off him. "From where we stood, we didn't know if Aniki reacted to him, did we?"

"Thanks for the tidbit, Millu," remarked Killua sarcastically.

"What are you all talking about!?" asked Kikyou, impatience, worry, horror and many other things mixing with her voice as she looked at her three sons.

Killua was quick on his reply. "Hisoka 'brainwashing' aniki. I mean, Illumi's the expert in that department (fuck, I've experienced it firsthand) so why should we underestimate him by saying that Hisoka is capable of actually manipulating him? In other words," he gave Hannah a pointed stare, "Illumi is not that weak." He then shrugged, ignoring the sharp look the young woman gave him. "Just something I thought you should think about."

"Demeaning Illumi-san is none of my intentions! All I'm saying is that somehow, this Hisoka was able to steal him away off to somewhere. That's my sentiment, and it's all because I'm concerned about him!"

"And what made you think that Hisoka's actually the one behind this? Did it ever occur to you that Hisoka couldn't have come here, passed through all of our guards, and snatched Illumi by saying, 'Hey, mind if I borrow him for a while?' What if I tell you now that Illumi was the one who ran away, brought out his cellphone in the middle of the bustling crowds of Quenya and started cursing Hisoka for all he's worth because he couldn't find the damned hotel he's staying at when he needed the sanctuary the most?"

Oh yeah, his mother was going to grill him for not telling that he knew what happened back then, but hey, they'll get over it. Just ignore your father's glare, Killua, and everything will be all right. Gon's here, and you'll both run off if anything funny happens. Anyway, Hannah had it coming. A healthy growing boy can only have enough bawling, spoiled girls obsessed with his creepy brother for a day.

Silence reigned for a moment, the sound that ended it all merely being Zeno's "I'm going back to work" and fading footsteps. Gon was the only one who watched the man move, and he could've sworn there was a small grin on the old Zoldick's face. For a moment, Sillva seemed to be planning on saying something as well, but decided against it and quickly followed his father.

Well, that didn't go as badly as he feared it to be. Somehow comforted that he wouldn't have to face his two elders, Killua continued. "Now, if we're done here, I'll just be making a few phone calls, because even if Illumi cannot be reached right now, nobody seems to remember that Hisoka is also a part of the modern world and, consequently, owns a cellphone himself."

"Killua!" The sound of Kikyou's voice stopped the light-haired boy's tracks. The woman was on her feet, fists clenched on her sides. "You said you didn't know when we asked you!"

Killua shrugged. "I didn't, back then. But Hisoka has my cellphone number, so go figure. I think he finds it fun to poke around and rub it in our faces that we're sucking in this little game of chase." He then turned to the others. "Come on guys, Hisoka dropped a clue for us. I say we study it first before deciding what to do next."

A moment of silence ensued, Killua's footsteps fading out in the background. With a last hesitant glance at the people around him, Gon quickly ran after his best friend, not daring to call his name lest he breaks the spell that drifted around the rest of family. Alluka, upon greatly debating within himself whether or not he should follow Gon and Killua, looked towards his mother, as if looking for the right decision from her face. He seemed to falter for a moment, but remembering Illumi and the news that he was sick, accompanied with the memory of what he knew about the man named Hisoka, his expression quickly changed and without another beat, the youngest Zoldick son disappeared in the darkness of the hallway as well.

Alluka's footsteps were the last things to be heard before Milluki's ungraceful snort broke through the heavy silence. "That's it!" Throwing up his hands, he turned his back and stomped towards the door right across from where the others went through. "I had it easier just tracking down random targets and illegal auctions. I'm out of this. Like I can relate in the first place anyway. Stupid, insane maniacs..."

The door slammed on the Zoldick child's wake, leaving the two women to look at each other in disbelief.

* * * * *

The airport lobby was thankfully quiet, not nearly as busy as Hisoka would remember it to be. A quick glance over to his dark-haired companion gave him the idea that the other was just as grateful. The assassin had his eyes closed while leaning his head on one hand while holding a bottle of drinking water, almost half empty. Hisoka grinned and leaned over him. "Feeling better?"

Illumi took one more gulp to finish his bottled water before throwing it out on a trash bin they were passing. "I guess," he mumbled, before throwing a quick glare at Hisoka. "If you had those aspirins in your briefcase all along, why didn't you give them to me in the first place?"

"Hey man, you never asked. If I remembered correctly, you said you've never relied much on medicine because the sicknesses pass anyway," pointed Hisoka, holding out a finger to prove his point. Illumi just gave him a weird look.

"But that was when I was, what...?"

"Sixteen?"

"Yes, sixteen," said Illumi, frowning with a confused look this time. "How the hell can you remember that?" He was merely met wit a blank look, as if Hisoka himself found it strange for Illumi to ask what he just did. Shaking his head at his companion, the assassin just sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "As I grew I've been having minor migraines every once in a while. I figured that it's better off if I just take a small pill instead of bearing with the distraction as I work."

Hisoka grinned and patted him on the back. "Oh well, no use talking about two sick days wasted," he had to hold up his hand for a moment to defend himself from Illumi's glare, "I mean, at least we're here and our little friends are miles away~!!!" Hisoka all but sang that last part, which made Illumi wince just a little bit.

"Speaking of which," Illumi stopped his tracks and grabbed Hisoka by the arm. The magician looked at him with a touch of confusion, but said nothing and just waited for Illumi to continue. "I've been thinking about it. Do you remember the time when I first came to you?"

"Yeah," replied Hisoka, giving the assassin a knowing grin. "It still freaks me out remembering how you just barged in, but you know what they say. Variety adds to the spice of life. A normally soft-spoken young man cursing like there was no tomorrow is definitely a nice spice if you ask me...among other things..."

Illumi winced when Hisoka wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "I wasn't talking about that, you lunatic. I meant to ask you if you've decided on what you're going to charge me with."

Hisoka stared at him for a moment. "Why the sudden interest? You should be glad I haven't charged you yet at all!"

Illumi was quiet for a while, frowning in a way that just made his head ache even more. "It's not like that, I..." he paused, choosing his words. He couldn't exactly tell Hisoka how uneasy he's been feeling those past few days; how the magician's attention was making him feel strange. Almost afraid, although he wouldn't normally admit that. Hisoka was starting to change before his very eyes and yet he couldn't exactly describe how and in what way. All he could pin-point was the man's sudden amusement in spending time with him, which he didn't show before. Years ago, the most he could get from Hisoka was companionship, and that didn't include the light conversations accompanied with the magician laughing. Hisoka didn't laugh much before (unless one would include the insane bouts of cackles he'd go through every time he kills) and Illumi was even satisfied to believe that he just wasn't the type who cared much for a social life, and that he just kept Illumi there for the same reason Illumi had used to kept him - for an image.

Used to would be the operative term, of course.

Out of the corner of his mind, he could still see Hisoka watching him, waiting for his answer. But it wasn't until the man waved a hand to his face that he was able to awaken from his daze. "Oi, Illu?" asked Hisoka, now snapping his fingers repeatedly in front of his eyes. "Don't doze off on me now, 'luv, we're still talking here."

Snap.

A sudden wave of dizziness hit Illumi at that second that he almost felt himself losing his balance. He reached up a hand to steady his head, eventually finding his footing when he grabbed hold of the first thing that came to his reach - namely, Hisoka. But he didn't realize that immediately, and with a significant amount of frustration, hissed out a curse. "Shit," his eyes were beginning to steady, but the cold chill still pricked his pale skin.

"I see you're still not well," was Hisoka's useful remark. Illumi grit his teeth as he felt his companion pull him steady. These constant attacks were starting to royally piss him off, remarkably so since he would've almost believed his body was immune to physical illnesses by the time he reached puberty. Apparently not.

Curse the human race. Yes, the whole lot of them.

He vaguely noticed when Hisoka hailed a cab and pulled him in. Illumi sardonically noted the hint of de ja vu that the action gave him, briefly remembering that time back in Quenya when Hisoka did the same thing. For him. Without even a word of mockery or ridicule. Following his line of thought just a few minutes ago, had this been the Hisoka of earlier years, he would've looked at Illumi with perhaps a hint of scorn and would most probably leave him by himself, trusting that someone like himself would've known what to do. Or if not, someone who couldn't even manage himself at that certain situation wouldn't have been worthy enough to merit his companionship.

He had said it before, he would say it again: this was not the Hisoka he used to know.

Illumi watched Hisoka from the dark veil of his own hair as the magician spoke with the driver, asking around for a hotel to stay in. The man was the very epitome of all that was strange and could change accordingly based on the situation or by his own whims. Perhaps, yet again, he was thinking too much and giving the man little to no credit, that maybe he was still the same Hisoka, and perhaps there was something going on that he didn't know about. Maybe it just all went down to Hisoka actually finding the whole situation amusing and was bored enough to take part in such a chase, or maybe he just disliked Hannah so much he wanted to make her miserable. Based on experience, Illumi knew that Hisoka would do such a thing if the person is irritating enough.

There were a thousand possibilities, some he may not even realize for all he knew. After all, this was Hisoka he was talking about. Somewhere in his head he felt the car starting to move, but the driver and Hisoka's voices were still droning on somewhere. It took Illumi a while to realize that the voices weren't inaudibly low just because of his headache, but because Hisoka truly was all but whispering as to not bother him too much.

Again, Illumi gave this a moment's thought before pushing it aside on his list of items under Hisoka's unexplainable behavior. He then shut his eyes to fight off the pain in his head, and almost succeeded in falling asleep had it not been for yet another of Hisoka's words flashing through his mind. One that he missed, but should've caught his attention sooner.

Don't doze off on me now, 'luv, we're still talking here.

His eyes snapped open.

End of chapter 11

A/N: Is it just me or is Illumi getting a bit paranoid? Bah, at least he's starting to think about Hisoka. That's a good thing... right? Right. Wow, I need to work on my self-assuring skills. On a lighter note, feedbacks are always welcome! Feel free to hit me for the late update, at least, unless you can present more reasons to do so. Really, I deserve it. *sighs*

I want Hisoka and his cards again. Yeah, creepy-Hisoka is nice too... I wonder how I could get Hisoka back to his old self without spoiling what I've already established? Hm... *runs off to plot the bloody murder of a random somebody*